Meghalaya MLA asks govt to shift BSF shooting range

A Meghalaya legislator today urged the government to shift a BSF shooting range in West Garo Hills' Dobasipara camp after stray bullets reportedly hit walls and playgrounds endangering lives of children and villagers.
The firing range has been there for more than 30 years then when the area was a thick jungle. Over the years, many houses have come up and the area has become very populated, South Tura legislator John Leslee K Sangma told the House during question hour.
"There were cases where stray bullets (from the BSF camp) have hit walls of houses in the village located just opposite the shooting range," Sangma said.

The road leading to the village also passes through the firing range of the BSF at their Dobasipara camp, he said.
While the firing range is to the western side of the camp, it however, faces the south where there are houses that have come up in the hillock opposite to it where there is also a playground on top, he said.
"At any given day, there are 30-40 children playing in the playground. There were cases where stray bullets have hit walls of houses in the village," the Opposition legislator said.
Home Minister Roshan Warjri assured the legislator that the matter will be examined.